Stacker.



Nn. 684,533. vPatented 001.15, Ism.

G. wETTLAuFER.

STA'CKER. (Appgieacionhled Apr. s, 1901.)

(No Model.)

Unirse Sra'rns PATENT Erice.

GEORGE WETTLAUFER, OF SAGINAIV, MICHIGAN.

STACKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,533, dated October 15, 1901.

Application tiled April 8, 1901. Serial Noi 545871. (No model.)

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WETTLAUFER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saginaw, in the county of Saginaw and State of `Michigan, have invented certain new and usemachines; and the improvement consists in certain details in construction of the stackerpipe by which the objects of my invention are accomplished. These objects are, rst, to provide a stacker-pipe made in sections, the outer one of which is adapted to swing horizont-ally, so that the direction of the discharge in confined spaces, such as the lower floors of barns and storage-sheds, can be varied at will.

Another object is to provide a stacker-pipe with a horizontallyswinging discharge end* that will automatically fold back upon the body of the stacker when released and to provide a spring for controlling,r the force of the swing, together with means for tightly clamping the swinging section to the body of the stacker when in position for discharging.

The construction and operation of the device are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which* y Figure 1 shows the stacker in position for discharging. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the stacker folded. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the hinged flanges. Fig. f1 is a side elevation of the stacker-pipe in position for transportation. Fig5 shows the manner of reversing the position of the stacker in a small space. Fig. 6 is a part-sectional detail of the clamp.

As is clearly shown in the drawings, the stacker consists in two sections of pipe. The

- body-section 1 is swiveled tothe dischargechute 2 of the thresher in the usual manner, so that it can be revolved horizontally or elevated to any desired angle. To the outer end of the section l is hinged a folding dischargesection 3, adapted to swing in an approximately horizontal plane when the bodysection 1 is in position for transportation, as shown in Fig. fi. The object of hinging the section 3 in this manner is to permit the stacker to be readily placed for discharging into bins or lofts which cannot be reached by the long one-piece stacker in common use. It has been very difficult heretofore to prop'- erly direct the straight stacker so as to dis'n charge in the desired position. It a threshing machine equipped with the ordinary straight stacker made in one piece is drawn into a barn with the stacker in position for transportation, the machine frequently has to be backed ont of the barn, turned around, and drawn into the barn again in order to get the stacker-pipe into proper position for discharging. With my improved hinged stacker this inconvenience is avoided. The dischargesection 3 when released readily folds back upon section 1, which in turn can be revolved to any desired position, after which section 3 can be swung back to place and fastened, again forming a continuous pipe, as shown in Fig. 5.

To permit the discharge-section 3 to be handled with greater ease and to fold back upon section 1 automatically when released, I in oline the axis of the hinge 4 that connects the two sections so that it makes a small angle with the vertical, as shown in Fig. 3. The section 3 thus has a natural tendency to fold back upon section 1, assuming the positionA shown in Fig. 2. In order to prevent its swinging with too great force, I provide a spring 5, attached at its ends to both sections of the stacker and extending across the hinge 4, so as to resist the tendency of section 3 to fold back.

In order to prevent the section 3 from dropping or sagging in the event of Wear in the bearings of the hinge et, I have adopted means for readily clamping the two sections together, (shown in Figs. 3 and 6,) in which 0 and 7 are iianged rings hinged together, as above described, and bolted or riveted to the sections 3 and 1, respectively. One of these rings, such as 6, has two upwari'lly-projecting lugs S, separated a short distance from each other and connected by a through-bolt 8a. The ring '7 has two similar lugs 9, be-

tween which is pivoted a link 10, slotted at its outer end. An eccentric-disk 1.0 is revolubly mounted in this slot, beingI operated by a handle 10".

IOO

The two iianges 6 and 7 can be readily clamped together by dropping the link 10 between the lugs 8 and pushing down the handle of the eccentric 10, which jams against the bolt 8, drawing the flanges 6 and '7 tightly together. I provide a link 1l on the side of flange 7. This link fastens the rings together at the side of the stacker-pipe.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

l. In a pneumatic stacker, a trunk coniposed of two sections; a hinge connecting said sections so that the outer section may swing in a horizontal plane when the stacker is in position for transportation; the angle of said hinge being such that the outer section will swing back upon the other section by its own gravity; acushioning-spring in the rear of said hinge and secured at each end to one section; and clamps secured to the adjacent ends of the two sections for holding them in operative position, substantially as described.

2. In a pneumatic stacker, a trunk coinposed of two sections; reinforcing-bands secured to their adjacent ends; a hinge joining said bands at the side of the stacker and so placed that the outer section may swing in a horizontal plane when the stacker is in position for transportation; a hook pivoted to the upper part of one band and adapted to engage a projection on the other band; and a clamp on the side of one band adapted to engage a projection on the side of the other band thereby holding the stacker in operative positiou.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE WETTLAUFER. Witnesses:

I. GoULD, WILLIAM STEPHENS. 

